University of London reaches 100,000 podcast views and downloads on iTunes U

Tuesday 24 April 2012

The University of London platform on iTunes U, managed by the School of Advanced Study, today reached a milestone 100,000 podcast views and downloads.

The University of London on iTunes U, which will celebrate its one-year anniversary on 7 June, enables researchers, students, and the public to download lectures, recitals, and other informative podcasts produced by or in association with the central departments of the University, free of charge. It currently hosts over 50 collections, containing more than 500 podcasts.

Contributors to the University of London on iTunes U include:

the School of Advanced Study, the UK’s national centre for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities and social sciences

ULCC (the University of London Computer Centre), a leading IT services business, specialising in the academic and not-for-profit sectors

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Geoffrey Crossick, said: “The University of London is a federation of world-class institutions, and we’re always looking to move forward in new ways. University of London on iTunes U allows the activities of our central bodies, such as the School of Advanced Study and the University of London International Programmes, to reach out across the University and to extend their expertise to new audiences around the world.”

The Dean of the School, Professor Roger Kain, said: “The School of Advanced Study was especially keen to make its event and staff interview podcasts available to a wider audience given its unique mission to support research in the humanities and social sciences. It hosts a rich programme of lectures, seminars and conferences – the majority of which are free and open to the public – and offers a range of specialist research resources and services for the benefit of researchers nationally and internationally”.

The University of London is a federation of 18 self-governing Colleges of outstanding reputation, together with a number of acclaimed Central Academic Bodies and Activities. The Central Academic Bodies of the University are the School of Advanced Study, the University of London Institute in Paris, the University Marine Biological Station at Millport, and the University of London International Academy. The Central University of London also provides a number of centrally-organised services such as the Senate House Libraries, The Careers Group and the University of London Housing Services, and administrative departments which support the Colleges and the Central Academic Bodies and Activities, including the University of London Computer Centre.www.london.ac.uk

The School of Advanced Study at the University of London is the UK’s national centre for the facilitation and promotion of research in the humanities and social sciences. The School brings together the specialised scholarship and resources of 10 prestigious research institutes to offer academic opportunities, facilities and stimulation across a wide range of subject areas for the benefit of the national and international scholarly community. The member institutes of the School are the Institutes of Advanced Legal Studies, Classical Studies, Commonwealth Studies, English Studies, Germanic & Romance Studies, Historical Research, Musical Research, Philosophy, Study of the Americas, and The Warburg Institute.www.sas.ac.uk

The University of London International Programmes was known as the University of London External System until August 2010. Through the International Programmes, the University of London has made its degree programmes accessible to students all over the world since 1858. It has more than 50,000 students in every corner of the globe studying on more than 100+ programmes. Its global community of former students and alumni include seven Nobel Laureates. The reputation of the International Programmes continues to ensure its graduates are to be found in leading positions across the world, including finance, politics, law, health and the arts.www.londoninternational.ac.uk/media/index.shtml

Established in 1968, ULCC – the University of London Computer Centre - has evolved into a highly respected and innovative brand within the academic and not-for-profit sector. Today, ULCC is dedicated to and passionate about its clients and its people. Through this dedication, it aims to offer leading edge IT solutions that empower its clients and drive change within the marketplace. Services include: co-location and managed server hosting, podcasting, web development, desktop support, e-learning, digital preservation, video streaming and managed network services.www.ulcc.ac.uk

iTunes U is a specialised area of the Apple iTunes store that allows Higher Education institutions to make audio and visual content available for download and subscription. For further information and to download iTunes, please visitwww.apple.com/support/itunes